Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-09-11
ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

Col. ]. B. Peyton, Clerk of the House OF
Delegates, asks that the following card be
published in the REGISTER:
To the Public:
Someof the newspapers of the State have
not hesitated, in measured words of CEN
sure, to attribute to my negligence the de-
lay that has occurred in the publication Of
the Acts of the Legislature for the regular
and extra session of 1887.
concede that such delay has been I'M
usual and, perhaps, inekcusable; but in
the same connection, l wish to state, in the
most emphatic terms, that the responsible
ity for it does not attach to the Clerk of the
House of Delegates.
Under the laws Of West Virginia, there
are four parties who have clearly defined
and distinctive duties to perform with ref
erence TO tie preparation and publication
of the Acts and certificates of incorpora-
ton, viz: the Clerk Of the House of Dele
gates, the Secretary of State, the Public
Printer and the Public Binder. These du-
ties are enumerated section 10, chapter SO,
Acts OF 1892, section II, chapter II, Acts
oil 1881, and certain chapters of section 70,
Acts of 1928.
After the close of the extra session on
the 9th day Of May, 1887, l prepared
promptly briefs Of the contents Of the
chapters of the Acts passed at that session,
in the form of side notes (the Acts Of the
regular session having been already
printed and delivered promptly the manu-
script Of such Acts, together with the man
sucript ofthe Joint resolutions, to the pub
lie printer. prepared, also promptly, a
suitable and convenient index to the Acts
and joint resolutions passed at both ses-
sions, and then waited (how impatiently,
is known to many at the seat of govern
ment for the other matter certificates Of
incorporation directed by law to be printed
and bound with the Acts. For the pre-
paration and delivery of the manu-
script of such "other matter" was in no
wise responsible, nor for the delay in
the printing thereof. As an evidence Of
my desire to hurry matters, may state as
fact that the printing Of the certificates
day of July, and within two days there
after the index complete was delivered in
the hands of the public printer. l affirm
that every possible effort was made by me
to expedite the publication. | was anx-
ious for certain reasons to have the volume
ont sooner than usual, and have been
sorely vexed and disappointed Mt the de-
lay.
1t is no more than the truth to add, that
my experimental knowledge of the fact,
that the public, n rule, is more exacting
of those officers who have been long in
continued service, intensified by anxiety to
furnish no grounds for complaint
/ cheerfully recognize the right Of the
press to closely scrutinize my conduct as
public servant, hut that right carries with
it the duty Of impartial fairness as we'll as
discriminating justice. ! take it, the pub
lie would not have me rest quiet under
censure bestowed for either unavoidable
accidents, or, what in the present case is
more direct to the point, the short COM
ings of others.
the justice to make public this card. Call
ing attention to the appended certificate OF
the public printer, am,
Very respectfully,
J. B. PEYToN,
Clerk Of the House Of Delegates.
CHARLESTON, W. VA. |
August Is, 1887. !
hereby certify that there was no delay
on the part of Col. J. B. Peyton. Clerk OF
the House of Delegates, in the preparation
and delivery Of the manuscript for the
Acts and joint resolutions of the regular
and extra session of the legislature OF
1887, nor in the preparation and delivery
of the index to the same.
Moses W. DONNALLY,
Public Printer.